Received 11 September 2009; received in revised form 17 December 2009; accepted 23 February 2010. published online 29 March 2010.
Abstract
Background
Autologous fat transplantation has been used to correct cosmetic deformities in almost all areas of the body. In recent years, there has been a resurgence of interest in the use of fatty tissue to fill defects resulting from breast conserving surgery (BCS) and asymmetries after reconstructive breast surgery.
Methods
A Medline database search was performed, and the published evidence was reviewed.
Results & conclusion
We describe and discuss the technique and indications, advantages, disadvantages and future direction of fat transfer to the breast.
Search methodology
A Medline database search was used to retrieve relevant literature. Key search words used were: breast fat transfer, fat auto-transplantation, adipose tissue injection and lipomodelling. As a number of original articles are in French these were translated and used in addition to the English publications.